Thanksgiving brings yet another challenge to 2020, with an official warning from the Center for Disease Control that traveling for the holiday is high risk given the ongoing spikes in COVID-19 cases. Some Wiscasset area residents interviewed are finding ways for the holiday to still be full of family and fun.

Philo, Cynthia Pappas’ loyal rescue dog, will be making out well on Thanksgiving. Cynthia said via email, “I’ll have a Zoom call with family, but will be cooking turkey for Philo ... even though I don’t eat meat.” Good thing Philo is already a big fan of long walks around Wiscasset village.

Many couples and households are just staying at home with pared down versions of their Thanksgiving meals and plans to connect with loved ones via phone, Zoom, or FaceTime.

Lucia Droby and  husband Rick Burns will be changing things up from their usual traditions. “Rick and I will be enjoying a quiet Thanksgiving dinner at home in Wiscasset rather than sharing a very long table with three generations of family in Massachusetts, semi-potluck,” she said via email. An upside to the change? “Since I’ve been spatchcocking (similar to butterflying) my turkey for several years, we won’t be missing the drama of bringing the bird to the table. Instead, my freezer is well stocked with turkey thighs. I’m looking forward to trying some new and odd recipes this Thanksgiving since there’s nothing to lose – after the shock of not having all the traditionals, my husband and I will eat and enjoy everything!” noted Droby.

Like Pappas, they also plan to set up Zoom calls with family and in addition will be shipping boxes of Maine-made chocolate truffles to children, siblings and cousins.

Linda Adams and husband Brian were hoping to get away with their dog to New Hampshire for the holiday but have decided staying home is best with the spike in cases. She noted via Facebook, “There will probably be FaceTime with family and, of course, football!”

Beth Whitney of Alna is getting creative with ventilation so her two adult children will be able to join her and her husband Roger. “The downstairs windows will be open with our two woodstoves going. The cats will all be upstairs being kept warm by the furnace. Downstairs there will only be four, maybe five of us so social distancing shouldn’t be a problem. Two can eat in the kitchen, two in the dining room, and one in the living room. It will make conversation interesting…,” she reported via Facebook.

Others are keeping their traditions with slight tweaks. Sarah Emery said, “My family will be meeting at a favorite hiking spot in Boothbay for a nice long, socially distanced walk. We plan on bundling up and bringing our own Thanksgiving meals to enjoy together by the water. Just in case, a rain date is set for the following week.”

Susan Robson and her family are also planning a hike, and eating Asian food, either inside or outside, two traditions of her family.